Beatrice Choi
Bacterial translocation from gut to brain – fact or fiction?
Bacterial translocation (i.e. movement of bacteria) from the gastrointestinal tract to other organs is a concept that was first described decades ago, but that has gained more attention in the recent years. While we know harmful bacteria can reach the brain in severe infections, the idea of gut bacteria making this journey in healthy individuals is highly controversial. This project aims to elucidate if brain bacteria translocation happens in healthy mice and whether increased gut barrier permeability aggravates it. We'll use cutting-edge culturing and sequencing techniques to assess bacterial translocation and how a "leaky gut" might affect this process. Understanding this phenomenon could have far-reaching implications for human health in terms of preventing and treating various brain disorders.
